Pastor Carol Geselman shows a remarkable, tangible symbol of hope for peace borne of war: a Communion chalice fashioned by her father from parts of downed German and American aircraft in World War II.
Such miraculous transformations are still happening today. Craftsman George Tokpah of Liberia makes crosses from spent shell casings, saying, “We want the whole world to see, to know, the impact war has. It is not good. So we are trying to transform an instrument of war into an instrument of peace.” The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program sells the crosses (Item #7027003028) around the world to spread the universal message of finding hope even in times of war.
This site was created because we thought it would be a great repository of stories, a shared archive of Ohio stories. More than that, however, I now see it as a way for family members, friends, and loved ones to reach out to those who served in WWII, to hear the stories that may have not been told. Sharing with it others is optional; sharing with this web site is encouraged, but not necessary. What is essential is that these stories don’t disappear.Here’s a shining example of this in action:
James Russell Warthen died in 1994 at the age of 82. He was a radio man with Hq. Co., 1st Battalion, 165th Infantry, 27th Division and specialized in Morse code. (His patch is depicted.) His daughter, Christine, says that her father rarely mentioned the war after he came home. After much persuation from Christine and her sister, he finally wrote his memoirs in 1990. Christine writes:
Our father’s writing is a treasured gift for my sister and me and now we share it with you. The entry below offers a glimpse into one patriotic American GI’s encounter with the Pacific Theater of War and it is In His Own Words:
You asked me what it was like when I found out that the war was over. My feelings at the end of WW II, I think, were adequately expressed in my letter to the (Columbus) Dispatch. I had said, “I expect never to see such joy again.” I had added, “We had survived the war. We would go home, to wives, sweethearts, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters—to all the things American which make life in our great land enjoyable.” Beyond all that, of course, was the thought of coming home to marry the girl I loved, to establishing a home, and to possibly fathering a family. And on this day, forty-eight years and one month later, and two days before my 79th birthday anniversary, I will say the journey has been worthwhile. Keep reading…
- Posted by Scott Gowans
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Ohiowarstories.org is funded by the Ohio Humanities Council.
With generous support from the Longaberger Foundation, we are recording WWII stories in Licking County.
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